SESP Launches Dual-Degree Master’s Program with The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Applications are being accepted for an innovative dual-degree applied economics and social and economic policy master’s program offered by Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s (CUHK) Department of Economics.
The rigorous 17-month program, which takes place in Hong Kong and the United States, is the first to address important policy questions through a transpacific lens. The global partnership between Northwestern and CUHK ensures that students will be equipped with both technical skills and the practical ability to evaluate policies and programs in Chinese and US contexts.
The program begins in August 2021 and will be taught primarily on CUHK’s campus in Sha Tin, Hong Kong. The first round of admissions deadline to apply for the inaugural cohort is Oct. 16, 2020. There will be two additional rounds of admissions with deadlines on Dec. 11, 2020 and Feb. 26, 2021. Learn more or start your application here.
The transpacific partnership comes at a time when it’s more important than ever for leaders on both sides of the Pacific to be able to forge deep and mutualistic relationships, said School of Education and Social Policy Dean David Figlio.
“We’re building a new generation of decision-makers with strong knowledge of economics and other social sciences, evaluation skills, and policy interests, in both the North American and East Asian contexts,” Figlio said. “They’ll feel confident and comfortable, which will lead to better organizations, better policy, and better lives.”
Students spend 10 months in Hong Kong taking courses taught by both CUHK and Northwestern faculty before transitioning to Northwestern for 7 months of additional coursework.
The program bridges two cultures and education systems, but also highlights each institution’s strengths. Both are top-tier universities with strong global reputations, multicultural student bodies, and international alumni networks. CUHK is known for theoretical and empirical work in economics. SESP brings strong policy design and evaluation skills to the table, giving the program a practical component.
CUHK ranks 7th in the field of Economics and Econometrics in Asia according to the 2020 QS World University Ranking. It’s especially strong in the area of labor economics, the applied economics subfield most similar to the work of the School of Education and Social Policy.
Northwestern is the 9th-ranked University in the US; its School of Education and Social Policy is world renowned in the study of social, educational, and economic policy.
Upon completion, students receive a Master of Science in applied economics from CUHK and a Master of Science in social and economic policy from Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy. Most students will begin their career in industry (especially the financial sector) or the public sphere after finishing the program. Others may pursue a PhD in economics or public policy.
For Figlio, the overarching goal of the program is to foster deeper ties and mutual understanding between East Asian and North American leaders. “I want leaders of the future across the globe to have a deeper understanding of the issues and the opportunities we are facing,” he said.